Neo-classical Realism in International Relations

Jalal Dehghani Firoozabadi,Mojtaba Zare Ashkezari

doi:10.5539/ass.v12n6p95

Abstract

<p>Neo-classical realism is result of foreign policy studies through studying both structure of international system and domestic factors and their complex interactions with each other. The main goal of neoclassical realism is to find out how distribution of power in international system, motivations and subjective structures of states toward international system shape their foreign policy. Neo-classical realists reject the idea of neo-realism in which it is argued that systemic pressures will immediately affect behaviours of units. They believe that the extend of systemic effects on states behaviour depends on relative power and also internal factors of states in anarchical system. This article is to study how neo-classical realism applies assumptions such as anarchy, effects of structure-agent, role of power in creating behaviours, national interests, survival and security in order to analyse international politics.</p>

Highlights

Neoclassical realism is used in International Relations not because of its capability of explaining different phenomena but because of its strength in emphasizing on different levels of analysis and its avoidance from reductionist dogmatism that other theories suffer
The main goal of neoclassical realism is to find out how distribution of power in international system, motivations and subjective structures of states toward international system shape their foreign policy
Neo-classical realists reject the idea of neo-realism which argues that systemic pressures will immediately affect behaviours of units, but they believe that the extend of systemic effects on states behaviour depends on relative power and internal factors of states in anarchical system (Schweller, 2004)

Summary

Introduction

Neoclassical realism is used in International Relations not because of its capability of explaining different phenomena but because of its strength in emphasizing on different levels of analysis and its avoidance from reductionist dogmatism that other theories suffer. Neo-classic realist thinkers argue that internal and local factors are intervening variables that play the role of string between independent variable (relative power) and dependent variable (foreign policy outcomes) These factors such as interests of domestic groups, interests of states, or attitudes of elites all participate in shaping foreign policy of a state. As they believe that structure is important and argue that anarchy is the main cause of struggle In other words, they accept effects of anarchy on behaviour of states and begin with this assumption that pressures of anarchical system bound choices of states in foreign policy, meaning that casual priority of independent systemic variables are determinant factors of foreign policy of states. The main goal of neoclassical realism is to find out how distribution of power in international system, motivations and subjective structures of states toward international system shape their foreign policy (dehghanifirouzabadi, 1390)

Classical and Neo-Classical Realism

Differences of Structural and Neo-classical Realism

Combination of Levels of Analysis in Neoclassical Realism

Neo-classics and Mediating Role of State and Society in Foreign Policy

Conclusion